27/01/2026
LETS TALK BRACHYS
While Brachycephalic breeds are commonly seen at MVH, we highly recommend educating yourself on breed specific health issues that may or may not occur. Unfortunately for our flat faced friends they do come with a long list of their own!
What dog breeds are classed as brachycephalics?
- French Bulldogs
- English Bulldogs
- Australian Bulldogs
- Pugs
- Boxers
- Boston Terriers
- Pekingese
- Shih Tzu
- Brussels Griffon
- + A few others
Now lets list a few problems:
• 🤰🏼 For Pugs & Frenchies: due to their narrow hips and large skulls, it is rare for them to deliver naturally whilst giving birth, resulting in C-sections.
• ❤️🩹 Average lifespan is as low as 4.5 years.
• 🩻 IVDD (Intravertebral Disc Disease) is extremely common and the biggest killer for young animals of these breeds.
• 🤝🏼 Most with no tail & altered skulls makes communication with other dogs difficult.
• 🌬️ Many struggle every minute just to breathe, due to long soft palates & stenotic nares (narrow nostrils).
• ❤️🔥 Higher risk of heat stroke.
• 👂🏼Skin folds = dermatitis.
• 👁️ Buldging eyes are more likely to get corneal ulcers.
• 🪢 80% of Frenchies have spinal malformations.
• 🦠 Gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, vomiting, regurgitation, gas, and inflammation.
• 🦷 Dental problems due to overcrowding
+ So much more.
Did you know that frenchies alone are predisposed to:
- Cherry eyes
- Atopic dermatitis
- Mast cell tumours
- Patella luxation
- Entropion
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)
- Hip dysplasia
- Meningitis
These can be seen amoung other brachycephalic breeds too.
What can you do to help?
• Insure your pet! If this is a breed you have chosen to take on, they are going to be expensive! Look into policies that will cover breed specific health issues.
• Be financially ready to support these breeds. They already cost a few thousand to buy, so don’t be upset when it costs you more to treat them.
• Clean their skin folds and stay on top of their hygiene!
• Walk wisely - do not exercise them in the heat or let them over do it.
• Consult with your vet! We are always here to help with whatever issue may or may not occur in your pet.
• Consider BOAS surgery!
We offer and highly advise to do any BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airways Syndrome) corrective surgery whilst under one anaesthetic, such as desexing. This surgery includes widening of the nostrils and a soft palate resection. Not only is it cheaper with the discounted anaesthetic at the time of desexing, but means less anaesthetics for your pets.
Feel free to talk to one of our staff members about BOAS surgery if your brachycephalic friend is suffering from any of the following:
- Snoring
- Rapid breathing
- Narrowed nostrils
- Tracheal narrowing
- Laryngeal collapse
- Everted laryngeal saccules
- Struggling to perform physical activity.
Let’s help these breeds breathe easy and have a comfortable long life, know what to look out for & be educated on the signs and symptoms of each possible health issue 🤍
